MSU is now off until Friday, when postseason play begins.

Miles Bridges was a no-show… until MSU needed him the most

After Yahoo! Sports reported the sophomore forward’s mother received financial benefits from Christian Dawkins — an associate of former NBA agent Andy Miller — I didn’t expect Bridges to have a great game. After a second report alleging the 6-foot-7 standout personally met with Dawkins in 2016, I didn’t know what type of game he would have.

It couldn’t have been an easy weekend for Bridges. Perhaps the 3-of-15 shooting and 0-of-7 from deep indicated something was on his mind. I don’t blame him. Many talked about Bridges missing the rest of the season, but he was cleared by the university’s compliance office and the NCAA and will likely participate with the team for the season — and MSU coach Tom Izzo said postgame the reports against Bridges and his mother are false.

Bridges still scored 10 points to go with eight rebounds, three assists, one block, a steal and no turnovers. He made all four of his free throw attempts, which were crucial late in securing the win. It wasn’t the most Bridges-esque game, but he was still productive. 

Whether he or his family took money or not, we won’t know for certain until more facts come out. Until then, he should play. MSU acted proactively by contacting the NCAA, and if he’s telling the truth he claims there was no wrongdoing. That won’t stop the hordes of fans in the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament from trying to get under Bridges’ skin. You hope he gets used to it sooner rather than later, and maybe this is how he gets that "jerk" mentality Izzo has been yearning for.

Big splash Cassius

The Spartans wouldn't have won Sunday if it wasn’t for sophomore point guard Cassius Winston.

Winston’s 20 points all came from 7-of-11 shooting from the field, most of which came from his 6-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. Winston is now shooting 56.5 percent from deep, which ranks second in the conference. The only thing Winston seemingly did wrong was turn the ball over four times.

But the most important thing Winston did was run the offense. He channeled seemingly every bucket when he was in the game. Two of Winston’s 3-pointers, one to give MSU a 50-49 lead and another to extend MSU’s lead 58-51, came when the rest of the Spartans struggled to generate any offense. Winston played 38 minutes, 19 of which came in the second half.

That’s what Izzo has been looking for. He’s said on many occasions he’s hard on his point guards. Izzo’s also said he needs his young players to play like they’re a year older. Right now, Winston is doing it. He just has to keep it up. 

This team is more focused than ever

For all the flak the Spartans got for close games on the road, two losses in three games back in January, they have won 12 games since. In that span, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and Athletic Director Mark Hollis have stepped down, ESPN reports have alleged Izzo mishandled potential sexual misconduct and violence allegations with his players and there were allegations Bridges received illegal benefits. 

It’s hard enough to make it through February without a couple upsets — just ask Purdue or Ohio State. But amid all this chaos, this group still keeps finding ways to win games. MSU now has just two more guaranteed games: at least one in the Big Ten Tournament and one in the NCAA Tournament. 

It’s important for the team, now more than ever, to keep winning games. If it can do that, the team will be talked about for a long time.